After (Camren)

Chapter 29

I look at Lauren, then at Shawn, and back to Lauren. There is no way this is going to go well.

"What are you doing here?" I ask Lauren, even though I do not want to hear the answer, especially not in front of Shawn.

"What do you think I am doing here! You snuck out on me while I was asleep, what the hell was that?!" Lauren booms. I hold my breath as her voice echoes off the wall. Shawn's face flashes with anger and I know he is beginning to put the puzzle pieces together.

I am torn between trying to explain to Shawn what is going on and trying to explain to Lauren why I left.

"Answer me!" Lauren yells and stands in front of my face. I am surprised when Shawn steps between us.

"Don't yell at her" he warns Lauren. I am frozen in place when Lauren's face twists in anger. Why is she so mad that I left? She would have kicked me out anyway. I need to say something before this all blows up in my face. She is probably only angry that she didn't get to make me cry first.

"Lauren.. please don't do this right now." I beg. If she leaves now, I can try to explain to Shawn what is going on. 

"Do what Karla?" Lauren asks and walks around Shawn. I hope Shawn keeps his distance, I don't think Lauren will hesitate to knock him over. Shawn is pretty buff, especially compared to Lauren's lean body but I have no doubt Lauren will hold him down, and most likely win. What the hell is happening in my life that I have to worry about Shawn and Lauren fighting?

"Lauren, please just go and we will talk about this later" I say and Shawn shakes his head.

"Talk about what? What the hell is going on Camila?" Shawn cuts in. Oh god. 

"Tell him, go on and tell him" Lauren says. I can't believe she is doing this. I know how cruel she can be but this takes it to a whole other level.

"Tell me what Camila?" Shawn asks.

"Nothing, just that I stayed at Lauren and Ally's last night" I lie. I try to match my brown eyes to Lauren's in hopes that she will stop this now but she looks away immediately.

"Tell him Camila or I will" Lauren growls and I begin to cry. 

"Shawn.. I..me and Lauren have been.." I start. Lauren's angry face shifts to smug. I can't believe I spent the night with her, last night it felt amazing but I knew I would end up regretting it. I just didn't know it would get this bad first.

"Oh my god" Shawn stutters and his eyes begin to water. How could I do this to him? What the hell was I thinking? Shawn is so kind and Lauren is cruel enough to make me tell Shawn about us in front of him. His hands go to his forehead and he shakes his head.

"How could you Camila? After everything we have been through? When did this start?" Tears stream down his face from his eyes. I have never felt this terrible, I caused those tears. I look over at Lauren and then back to Shawn. My hate for Lauren consumes me and I shove her back instead of answering Shawn. Lauren is caught off guard and stumbles backwards but steadies herself before she falls.

"Shawn, I am so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking." I am being honest, I don't know what the hell I was thinking.

I suppose I was thinking that Lauren could be decent and maybe I could break up with Shawn and date Lauren. How stupid can I be? Or that I could stay away from Lauren and Shawn would never know about what happened between us. The problem is that I can't stay away from Lauren. I am too far gone, too far under her spell, and she didn't hesitate to curse me.

Both are stupid and naïve options but I haven't made one good choice since I have met Lauren. 

"I don't know what you were thinking either, I don't even know you anymore" Shawn shouts and walks towards the door.

"Shawn please! Wait!" I scream and rush after him. Lauren grabs my arm and tries to pull me back.

"Don't touch me! I can't believe you! This is low Lauren, even for you" I scream and jerk my arm out of her grasp. I push her again. I have never pushed anyone in my life except her, multiple times.

"If you go after him, I am done" she says and my mouth falls open. Done with that?

"Done? Done with what? Fucking with my emotions? I hate you!! You can't end something that never began" I say, my voice no longer shouting. Her hands fall to her sides and her mouth opens but no words come out.

"Shawn!" I call and rush out the door. I run down the hall and finally catch up to him in the parking lot. He notices me and walks faster.

"Shawn, please listen. I am sorry, so sorry. I was drinking, I know that isn't an excuse but I.." I wipe my eyes and his face softens. 

"I can't listen to anymore.." he says. His eyes are red. I reach for his hand and he pulls away. 

"Shawn please, I am so sorry. Please forgive me" I can't lose him and Lauren in one day. Even though Lauren was never mine and never would be, it still hurts to see her newest level of hatred for me. Especially after the way she held me and called my name in her sleep.

"I just need some time, Camila. I don't know what to think" He says and runs his hair over his perfectly gelled hair.

"Okay" I sigh in defeat. He just needs time to get over this and we can go back to normal.

"I love you Camila" he says and catches me by surprise when he kisses my forehead and climbs into his car.